The wood frame and the timber for the exterior is sustainably-harvested fir from the Vosges region.

The new INRA Research Laboratory is an expansion of the existing facilities. To match these buildings, Tectoniques designed the north facade as smooth and contemporary. Consistent light and no excess heat allows this facade to be open to the rest of the campus. The rest of the building faces the land and the forest, so these facades feature timber slats and louvers, which give it an organic look as well as protect it from excess heat. Solar passive design minimizes heat gain in the summer through these shading devices, but still lets in lots of natural light. The building’s facade is stepped back from the louvers by a walkway, and triple-paned windows further improve the building’s energy efficiency.

The wood frame and the timber for the exterior is sustainably-harvested fir from the Vosges region. An atrium in the heart of the building features a garden and a rainwater-sourced pool surrounded by flowers, bushes and trees. The atrium is covered by a ETFE plastic dome, which brings in filtered natural light and helps control the interior climate. In the summer, windows and vents open to allow hot air to rise up and out of the building. In addition to the energy efficient design, the eco lab also features a rooftop photovoltaic system, a ground coupled heat exchanger and a biomass boiler that is fueled with plants grown on site.

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GabrielMay 10, 2013 at 2:27 pm

I am delighted to read this update. During the early 70s, I studied in a section of the INRA complex at Route-St-Cyr, at Versailles. It was always a delight to enter their building.This building looks like an equally delightful one to enter and is possibly less afflicted by ‘sick building syndrome’.